Welnar’s eyes slowly open, seeing a rather bright white light upon doing so. He squints as his eyes adjust. Is he… Dead? Looks like you really do “see the light” when you die. How strange, Welnar thinks. But then, an all too familiar presence enters his mind.

  {“Nope. Not dead.”} Monarch says.

  {“I’m not?”} Welnar asks, still a little delirious and confused.

  {“By some miracle, you’re alive Welnar.”} Monarch reaffirms him. As she does, Welnar slowly begins to sit up and look around… Pretty cozy bed he’s in… Wait, how’d he-

  “You’re up.” A man clad in plate armor says, leaning against a wall. He holds his helmet under his arm, revealing the face of a fairly old man who’s clearly been through more than a few fights. He has a scar on his lip, his right eye, his forehead… Sheesh. Probably more under the rest of the armor too.

  “W-where… Where am I?” Welnar asks as he continues to look around. It’s a pretty bland looking room all things considered, with numerous beds like Welnar’s on either side of him, separated by tarps on rails that can slide to conceal the occupants.

  “Guardsmen exclusive hospital for treating the wounded. Consider yourself lucky kiddo.”

  “How long was I out?”

  “A couple hours, three or four I think.”

  “Woah… Y-you've been waiting that whole time?” The guard laughs in response.

  “Sorry kid, I don't care THAT much. Just every hour or so.” As he says this, the man stops leaning on the wall.

  “Speakin of, I should probably let the docs know you're up… But that can wait.” Welnar tilts his head in confusion as the man approaches the foot of the bed, grabbing a stool nearby and sitting on it. “The murderer. Ya fought him, didn't you?”

  “Yeah, I did…”

  “So? Any details?”

  Welnar thinks back to his encounter, trying to remember the psycho's face. But he never got a good look.

  “Sorry, not really. He wields blood manipulation, I guess.” The guard grumbles in response.

  “Alright, fine then. Listen, there's gonna be a fat bounty out for the guy soon. You've had the closest encounter and lived to tell the tale so far, so keep an eye out.” Then, he stands, heading out the door. A bounty, huh? Welnar thinks. All the more reason to hunt down that psycho then… As if he didn't have enough already, considering the guy contains one of the six Hearts he needs. Soon after the guard leaves, two more people wearing white robes enter, clearly doctors.

  “How are you feeling, sir Welnar?” Again with the formalities, Welnar thinks… So… Icky.

  “I’m feeling uh. Fine. I guess. Can I go now?”

  “Just after a short mandatory check up, just to be sure.” The second doctor says. And, using some odd looking bits and bobs Welnar couldn’t recognize, they seem to be able to check his body for any irregularities over the course of a couple minutes.

  “Hmm… Good, it appears you’re all clear now, sir Welnar. You’re free to go.” One of them says, Welnar getting up off the bed and stretching after those words. “Would you like me to lead you out?” The other says.

  “No no, I-I’ll find my own way out, it’s fine.” Welnar waves his hands. He doesn’t want to hear them call him sir anymore… “As you wish, sir-”

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “Okay bye!” And Welnar swiftly leaves the room before he can finish his sentence. He walks through the facility halls, guided by signs pointing to the front exit that he is very thankful for… There’s all sorts of different paths in this place. How anyone can navigate it is a damn mystery to Welnar… Speaking of, there’s a surprising amount of people here too. Lots more doctors, and the occasional armored guard. Eventually, Welnar does manage to get outside… The sun is just beginning to rise in the horizon. Soon, the city will wake. Welnar takes a deep breath of the fresh morning air. He got lucky this time, but… He can’t lose like he did before again. He’s not always going to get bailed out.

  He needs to improve. And speaking of, Welnar recognizes his innate understanding of his magic… Expanded? In his fight with the Psycho, Welnar had instinctively used his magic in new ways. Like that barrier, or that surge of power. Maybe if he fights more, he can grow even stronger, gain more uses of his magic. Yeah… That sounds like a good plan. {“You know, most people’s magic doesn’t evolve like that Welnar.”} Monarch says.

  {“Really? Well… Actually, I guess that checks out. Huh. Guess I’m an odd one out then.”}

  {“What I’m wondering is, is it the influence of me? Or perhaps… You’re simply a hidden prodigy. Hehe.”}

  {“S-shut up!”} Welnar’s face turns red. Him? A hidden prodigy? What a load of nonsense. It has to be Monarch’s influence!

  {“Regardless of the case, I do think this is a good idea too. We might as well wait for the Psychotic Heart’s bounty to go up first, so we can make some money as well. In the meantime, snag some basic bounties and train using them.”}

  {“Alright!} Let’s do this!” Welnar says that last part out loud, primarily because he’s alone on the street and it makes him feel motivated!

  …

  Over the course of five days, Welnar would take on five bounties. Four of the five end up being nothing interesting… Welnar doesn’t even find himself getting stronger from them. By the fifth bounty, he’s feeling a little frustrated. He’s fought at least a dozen thugs and even a couple low tier sorcerers by now, so why isn’t he getting stronger?

  Welnar thinks and thinks as he stares blankly at today’s bounty board, deciding on his fifth bounty… Until one of the bounties catches his attention. It doesn’t look… Standard. He takes the paper, looking at it. There’s no picture or name, or even a grade! It just says to present the person at the front desk with the paper. But there is still a reward on it, and Welnar can’t believe his eyes. Ten. Platinum. Coins. And Welnar thought fifty gold coins was nuts!! There’s no way that’s real, right?! Welnar hurriedly runs to the front desk, practically slamming the poster on it. “What’s up with this?!” He says, barely able to contain his excitement. The man at the front desk today looks down at the paper, and frowns slightly. Then he looks at Welnar. Back at the paper. And finally, he sighs.

  The man leans behind the front desk, opening a drawer and pulling out a slip of paper. He unfolds it, revealing a map that he slides towards Welnar. It’s a pretty detailed map of Ekstrall, with a dot marking a location just on the outskirts, in a field it seems. “This old man puts out this… Bounty, for himself every once in a while. Tells us where he’ll be, and to present this map to anybody that takes up the bounty. Listen, I know you’re an S grade but… Be careful. He isn’t to be underestimated. Good news is, he has an oath not to kill anyone.”

  Well that brings Welnar a bit of concern. Someone putting out a bounty… On themself? And he’s being told to be careful, when he’s perceived as an S grade?! If that’s the case, then what the hell is up with this guy… Welnar thinks carefully. He isn’t actually an S grade, so this guy is probably at least 10x more dangerous than this cleric thinks he’ll be to Welnar… But he took an oath not to kill anyone. So… It should be fine, right?

  {“Hmm. I think you should do it. Worst case scenario, the guy will probably just let you run!”} Monarch encourages Welnar on, and with it his decision is solidified as he takes the bounty poster and map. “Guess I’ll go check it out then.” And with those words, he leaves the bounty office…

  …

  Welnar steps out into the field, spotting an old man with stark white, slicked back hair sat against a lone tree, enjoying its shade from the beaming sun. The man opens an eye, surprising Welnar slightly. Was he really walking that loud..? The man stretches and stands, having to lean on the tree momentarily for support. Is this really what he’s supposed to be so scared of? Welnar approaches the old man. “You put out a bounty for yourself, right?”

  “Oh, why yes I did. I suppose that’s what you’re here for?”

  “Sure am. You got a name I can put to this bounty at least?” The old man rubs his chin for a moment, putting his other hand behind his back. “Can’t you at least tell me yours first, dear bounty hunter?”

  “Uh… Yeah, sure. I’m Welnar. Welnar Bismorg, and I’m a hero!” Welnar says dramatically. He’s still gonna put his name out there however he can!

  “A hero you say… Heroes don’t normally pick on old folk like me, y’know.”

  “I- W-well- y-you put the bounty out on yourself dude!” Welnar stammers out, getting ready to very quickly backpedal on this whole thing… The old man chuckles in response. “Oh don’t worry young’in, I was joking.”

  “And you may call me Derlock.”

  “Alright, Derlock… I’m gonna have to take you in, as per your bounty! But something tells me… You won’t let that happen.”

  {“Hey, Welnar. Hang on… Something is up with this guy… In his left eye. There’s a strange amount of mana emanating from it.”} Monarch says. Upon taking a closer glance, his left eye seems to have an almost glowing, cyan ring around the iris… Strange, Welnar thinks. He also notices him taking a few glances at his halo, but Welnar doesn’t find that particularly odd. Most people look at the metal halo once or twice, it looks pretty weird.

  “How perceptive of you, Welnar. I will not.” Derlock says, stretching his arms out in front of himself and crossing them. Then, he takes a deep breath… {“Woah, woah WOAH! H-his mana…”} Monarch seems totally caught off guard.

  {“What Monarch? What is it-”} Welnar’s train of thought is interrupted, as the old man slowly exhales… Bringing his arms to his hips. And in a flash, a wave of immense pressure overcomes the field. Welnar has to struggle to not be instantly put to his knees. What… What the fuck is up with this guy? {“His mana reserves have practically increased ten fold! Welnar, be careful! This guy is on a whole different level!”} Monarch says.

  {“Yeah, I figured!”} Welnar responds, as he finally feels the pressure let up, Derlock loosening his stance. He bounces on his feet back and forth, seeming pretty limber for an old man. His hands are still low, but clearly at the ready… Is he..? No, it can’t be! Welnar assumes his boxer stance, continuing to try and analyze his opponent… Just what has he gotten into?!

  “Do try to keep up, Welnar.” Derlock says. And suddenly, he flickers out of Welnar’s view… Reappearing an instant later mere inches from him, with a right straight primed! Welnar only narrowly slips his head to the side to avoid the punch, and a moment later… He feels his cheek get cut? Did the wind caused by that punch cut him?! No, more importantly, this man…

  This man is a melee fighter. Just like Welnar. And he seems leagues stronger.